2-09-2024 3:28am

News Briefs 2/9/2024: yetis, the gift of shoes, basketball championship

Michael McGinnis Editor

AJ Lovejoy, Hononegah girls basketball team, Roscoe Township Community Center. Photo of shoes: Roel Schroeven

Rockton Yeti Fest continues on Friday with sled dog demonstrations. Saturday brings the Yeti Dance Party, Hot Cocoa Crawl, and the '90s-themed Snow Ball.

Hononegah Indians girls basketball won three games on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024: varsity, junior varsity, and freshmen. As the varsity team clinched the NIC-10 championship, Jordan Dimke was the team's top scorer with 17 points. JV's Kylie Simpson made 9 points, and Danielle Franz & Ally Niedfeldt tied each other with 8 points.

Synergy Collective, a boho boutique and crystal shop which opened a brick-and-mortar storefront in Roscoe in March 2022, has closed their shop on Roscoe's Main Street and moved to Edgebrook on N. Alpine. They will hold their grand re-opening this Saturday, Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They began at the Rockford City Market in 2019.

From our reporter Marianne Mueller:

Roscoe Township Historical Society president Laura Zwart invites everyone to the Roscoe Township Community Center at noon on Feb. 18, 2024 to learn about a Roscoe resident who made a historical impact - AJ Lovejoy (1845-1919), who was a premier Berkshire hog breeder, president of the International Livestock Exposition, president of both the Winnebago County and South Beloit fairs, member of the Illinois State Board of Agriculture and the Illinois General Assembly.

From now until March 10, you can drop off your gently worn, used and new shoes. Any shoe size from baby to adult, and any style including sandals or heels, will be accepted. Drop off locations include Truly Treasured Gift n Thrift, Old Stone Church, Talcott Free Library, and Roscoe Pack & Mail.

The shoes will benefit micro enterprise vendors in developing nations. They are typically operated by one person or a family and friends depending on the size. Some of the proceeds will benefit the ministries of the Old Stone Church in Rockton and 1st Congregational UCC Pecatonica, such as the Rockton Food Pantry.

Contact either Bonnie Estrada at 815-904-9876 or Kathy McGinty at 815-262-3565 for more information or with any questions.

Rockton Sanctuary Spa is one of many hosting a Girl Scout cookie drive this weekend with 3rd grade Troop 640. This drive is on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

As a former Girl Scout, Sanctuary Spa owner Erica Smith continues to show support wherever she can and has served as a mentor for these young ladies.

Girl Scouts will also be at Fibs on Feb. 9 from 5-7 p.m., at Roscoe Nutrition on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m., at Jessica's Restaurant and at Main Street Meats on Feb. 11 in Roscoe, from noon until 3 p.m.

Macktown Living History is hosting an 1840's Valentine Party from 2-4 p.m., on Sunday, Feb. 11. Create your own Valentine card and learn about the “Mother of the American Valentine Industry.” Guests pay a $5 admission fee to the event.

Give the gift of life at an upcoming two-day blood drive at the Roscoe VFW at 11385 2nd Street, in Roscoe. Schedule an appointment for the first drive on Wednesday, Feb. 14 from 2:30-6:30 p.m. The second day is Thursday, Feb. 15 from 12:30-4:30 p.m. To reserve your spot, call Kayla Cotone at 815-543-0861. Bring a photo ID and before donating, eat and drink plenty.